Device for the safe handling of nonhuman primates

Abstract

A device for the safe handling of nonhuman primates includes a transparent elongated body having a top end and a bottom end. A ventilated lid is attached to the top end of the body by means of a hinge and includes a positive locking arrangement. The bottom end of the body is removably connected to a base which has first and second springs attached thereto. The body includes a plurality of apertures into which are positioned a plurality of inserts. Inserts proximate the bottom of the body include projections which are positioned under the first and second springs to maintain the body on the base.

1. A device for the safe handling of nonhuman primates, comprising:
 a base having a substantially planar bottom surface; 
 an elongated body having a top end and a bottom end, a cross-sectional area of said base being larger than a cross-sectional area of said body, a transverse dimension of said body being at least about five inches, said body having solid walls; 
 a lid connected to said top end of the body with a hinge, said lid including a plurality of openings therein for providing ventilation, said lid having a height greater than one inch and defining an interior volume for containing a nonhuman primate; 
 said bottom end being removably connected to said base; 
 means for separating said bottom end from said base to allow entrance into said body of said nonhuman primates; said body including a plurality of apertures wherein each of said apertures includes an insert; 
 first and second inserts having respective first and second projections extending therefrom; 
 a projection member on said lid; 
 a ring positioned on said projection member; and 
 a spring arrangement wound about said first and second projections and connected to said ring to maintain said lid in a closed condition. 
 
     
     
       2. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said body is made of a substantially transparent material. 
     
     
       3. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said body is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
       4. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said body has a plurality of sides. 
     
     
       5. A device according to  claim 4 , wherein said body has eight sides. 
     
     
       6. A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a latching arrangement to maintain said lid on said body. 
     
     
       7. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of openings in said lid comprise a plurality of ventilating slits. 
     
     
       8. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said apertures are of a size to allow food for the nonhuman primates to be introduced into said body. 
     
     
       9. A device according to  claim 8 , wherein each said aperture includes an insert having a back wall which extends into said body and defines a downward facing opening into the body to allow introduction of said food. 
     
     
       10. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said base has a central aperture. 
     
     
       11. A device according to  claim 10 , wherein the central aperture has a diameter of about an inch. 
     
     
       12. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional area of said base is at least 1.5 times larger than the cross-sectional area of said body. 
     
     
       13. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein a height of the device is in a range of about 14 to about 20 inches. 
     
     
       14. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the height of the lid is in a range of about 3 to about 6 inches. 
     
     
       15. A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the base includes an upstanding segmented wall over which the body fits. 
     
     
       16. A device for the safe handling of nonhuman primates, comprising:
 a base having a substantially planar bottom surface; 
 an elongated body having a top end and a bottom end, a cross-sectional area of said base being larger than a cross-sectional area of said body, a transverse dimension of said body being at least about five inches, said body having solid walls; 
 a lid connected to said top end, said lid including a plurality of openings therein, said lid having a height greater than one inch; 
 said bottom end being removably connected to said base; 
 means for separating said bottom end from said base to allow entrance into said body of said nonhuman primates; 
 said body including a plurality of apertures of a size to allow food for the nonhuman primates to be introduced into said body, each aperture including an insert having a back wall which extends into said body and defines a downward facing opening to allow introduction of said food; 
 first and second inserts having respective first and second projections proximate said bottom end of said body; and 
 first and second springs adjacent respective first and second sides of said body wherein said first and second projections are respectively positioned under said first and second springs so as to maintain said body on said base. 
 
     
     
       17. A device for the safe handling of nonhuman primates, comprising:
 a base having a substantially planar bottom surface; 
 an elongated body having a top end and a bottom end and a plurality of apertures, said body having solid walls; 
 a lid connected to said top end of the body with a hinge, said lid including a plurality of openings therein for providing ventilation, said lid having a height greater than one inch and defining an interior volume for containing a nonhuman primate; 
 said bottom end being removably connected to said base; 
 first and second inserts disposed in respective apertures and having respective first and second projections extending therefrom; 
 a ring connected to said lid; 
 a spring wound about said first and second projections and connected to said ring to maintain said lid in a closed condition. 
 
     
     
       18. The device according to  claim 17 , further comprising third and fourth inserts disposed in respective apertures and having respective third and fourth projections proximate said bottom end of said body; and
 first and second springs adjacent respective first and second sides of said body wherein said third and fourth projections are respectively positioned under said first and second springs so as to maintain said body on said base. 
 
     
     
       19. A method, comprising:
 providing the device of  claim 1 ; 
 removing the base of the device; 
 placing the device inside of a cage for a nonhuman primate; and 
 after entry of the nonhuman primate into the device, reattaching the base of the device.